What’s been going on!

Almost to June and the Farm to Fork Picnic is nearly here this Sunday.  A little different set up this year, back to just the actual picnic this weekend with the other events spread out across the year.  It makes it much easier on everyone involved- farmers, chefs and eaters.  The last two years, with three events all on one weekend, wore everyone down.  Still at the Fearrington Village for the shade and cover from rain in case that occurs.

The event is an important fundraiser for beginning farmer training programs at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension & Research Center.  Betsy and I serve on the Board of Advisors for CEFS and have been very involved with this event from the beginning.  We are again paired with our good friends at Pizzeria Mercato.  Tickets are still available and it is guaranteed to be tasty and fun.

May rains bring June tomatoes or something like that, it is for sure bringing lots of big blueberries which has been our main focus all week, we have been picking every day except Saturday trying to beat the rains and get them off the bushes in peak condition.  This is the peak week and so far the rains have held off every morning and we have just enough pickers to get the job done but we will be happier when we only have to pick tomatoes!

Picture of the Week

Damp Blueberries

What’s going to be at the market?

Lots of Blueberries.

The rains have been hardest on the lettuces and we will not have any this week.  The  Radicchio’s are here though with the classic round red, the speckled Bel Fiore and the heavy white Sugarloaf, great for grilling.  More Cucumbers.

In cooking greens we have beautiful dark Lacinato Kale (a.k.a. Dino Kale, Cavalo Nero, Black Kale).  The return of our favorite summer green- Callaloo, the green amaranth that we call Jamaican Spinach and is a quick saute.

Plenty of Roots.  Carrots in orange and Purple.  More tender spring Leeks.  Beets in Red, Gold and the red and white striped Italian Chioggia.  Crispy Red Radishes.  More beautiful Fennel.  Basil to go with everything.  Cilantro and Italian Parsley.

Lots of Sunflowers to brighten any rain gloomed room.  A few Lilies.

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.  Just so you know, sometimes not everything listed will be at the Wednesday market.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

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